I imagine that pundits observing the African strand of democracy from outside Africa, feel quite confident in referring to the 7-shaped continent as the Dark Continent (pun unintended). Despite the rich colour evident in culture and life, our leaders allow the international masses join indigenous people in cursing our continent as dark. On my way into work today, I listened to yet another debate on the radio about President Goodluck’s attempted third term in office. Now as far as I am concerned, that man has had more than his fair share of swipes at the proverbial apple, at this rate only the pith of the golden fruit will remain when he is done! Nigeria is no Garden of Eden but it is evident that the Serpent was present and whispering along with each bite.

Technically, this is President Goodluck’s first term as elected president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. However, he did have a first shot at the position when acting as President following the (thoroughly) unsurprising death of ex-president Musa Yaradua before the completion of Yaradua’s term. With the nation’s current economic stagnancy and steady decline since 2008, one might be forgiven for assuming that Nigerians are still being led by a corpse. Necromocracy anyone?

What irks me the most about the entire situation is the approach of our government to constitutionally delineated electoral terms. President Goodluck for instance, is upset that he will only get 6 years (2 Yaradua + 4 regular), instead of the 10 years he determines his due (2 Yaradua + 4 regular + 4 reelected). Boo hoo sir. Boo. Hoo. The ONLY person who thinks 6 years -or indeed any number of years-in the privileged position of leading a nation to greatness is too little, is a person who neither strategically planned nor originally intended to utilise his time in office wisely. An opportunity to work in the government is a priceless opportunity for service. Ergo, anything in addition to the stipulated initial four year term in office is a blessing, NOT an entitlement.

I boldly declare that what Mr. Goodluck failed to achieve in the last 5 years, he will NEVER accomplish even if Immortality and Father Time met, married, birthed and graced him with their offspring as an addition to his current term.

Logically, indeed by sheer mathematical probability, the high population of most African countries should equate to an increased leadership pool. In other words, there are potentially more people capable and suited to lead their nations inside Africa than qualified people in Europe able to lead European nations, for instance. Yet, one citizen wants to hug the throne for over a decade with no justifiable reason?! With the wise words of Shawn ‘Jay Z’ Carter and Kanye ‘Queen’ West, I warn our politicians, “Watch the Throne”…we are coming for it.

In line this, here’s an interesting article on Africa’s aged leaders written by the infamous Mo Ibrahim and found on the CNN website. He argues that what Africa needs now is younger leaders and makes a fair point arguing his case. I think Africa actually just needs better leaders of whatever age.

“Africa is in the middle of an amazing demographic shift. Our continent is the only one where the size of the younger generation is rising significantly.

Our population is already 16 years younger than in China, and this is only the beginning. Within less than three generations, four out of ten of the world’s youth will live on our continent.

This demographic dividend — and the energy and enthusiasm it brings — offers us a unique advantage which other continents facing the prospect of a rapidly aging population and dwindling workforce can only envy. In a world changing with breakneck speed, it is young people who are best equipped to identify and deliver fresh solutions to our problems.

But we will only fully reap these benefits if we listen to young people, engage with them and provide the education, skills and support they need to prosper. Despite progress, we continue to fail to rise to this challenge. Young people, all too often, find their interests overlooked and their voices ignored.

There can be no clearer symbol of this disconnect than the age of those who continue to set the direction of our countries and their citizens. For while the median age of Africa’s population is now 20 and falling, the average age of our continent’s leaders is around 60.

Africa must ask itself why our continent appears so frightened of giving the younger generation a chance.

I am not arguing, of course, that teenagers should be put in charge of countries. Experience counts in government even more than in business. But Africa must ask itself why our continent appears so frightened of giving the younger generation a chance.

After all, David Cameron and Tony Blair both became UK Prime Ministers for the first time when they were 43. Barack Obama first became President of the United States at the age of 47. Even more importantly, he will step down, because of the constitution, eight years after he entered the White House.
In contrast, Africa has just witnessed an 89-year old sworn in as President of Zimbabwe, a post he first gained 25 years ago. And this was after he had already led his country as Prime Minister for nearly a decade.

The truth is that it is not so much the age that our leaders first come to power which is the problem but their reluctance to relinquish it. Where necessary, constitutional terms are altered to allow them to continue long after they were supposed to step down.

The result is that political power lies in the hands of aging leaders who have little knowledge or interest in the ambitions and concerns of younger generations — and sadly even less interest in passing on the reins of leadership.

It is why, when we set up the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership in 2007, we made it a condition that only those democratically elected leaders who hand over power voluntarily at the end of their constitutional term would be eligible.

Even in countries where leaders do not confuse their own interests with those of their country, our young people can find themselves locked out of decision-making and debate. They react, not surprisingly, by turning their backs on the political process. Electoral turnout is falling among the young and political apathy is on the rise.

The danger is that, denied the chance of peaceful change, despair and anger is fostered. We must at least enable our young people to play a more active part in the decision-making process. If we do not, we will see even more leaders overthrown.

The risk of creating a marginalized youth only seems to increase when you look at the job market. Our young people are better educated but enjoy less employment opportunities than their parents. We can’t just rely on their numbers to drive Africa’s continued economic progress.

We need renewed efforts to provide them with the skills they need to fill the jobs of the future. We urgently need to foster national debates involving businesses, education specialists and young people themselves to build the skilled workforce Africa requires to compete globally.

It’s time Africa started listening to our young people, instead of always telling them what to do. It is their potential, after all, which will decide our continent’s future. Let’s not waste it.”
-Mo Ibrahim
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/17/opinion/africas-aging-leaders-risk-ibrahim/index.html?hpt=hp_c4